Obituary for Rev. Dr. G. W. “Bill” Wilson

Obituary | George William “Bill” Wilson

The Reverend George William “Bill” Wilson, 70, of Lakeland, Florida went to live with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, April 2, 2016.

Bill was born February 21, 1946 in Grinnell, Iowa to George Walton Wilson and Mildred Elizabeth (McDowell) Wilson. On July 28, 1966, he married Jean Anne Blair. Together they have raised 4 sons and a daughter. Growing up on a farm, his parents taught him the value of hard work and he applied that to his life-long service to Jesus Christ. He and Jean began full-time ministry in 1973 with the Church of God. He later founded World Class Cities Ministries (WCCM) in 1998. In helping to plant and organize over 6,500 churches through WCCM and the Church of God, he has helped spread the Gospel in over 65 nations in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and South America. If you asked him what his vision was, you would most likely hear him say, “My vision is to help other people fulfill the vision God has given them.”

While fulfilling the Great Commission was his life’s work, his family always had his heart. He loved being with his children Todd, Kevin, Chad, Shaun, and Keri. It brought him great joy to have the opportunity to minister with his family all over the world, not to mention beating them at a game of Mexican Train Dominoes.

Those who knew Bill can attest to the fact he never met a stranger. He seemed to know or meet someone wherever he went, even in the remote corners of the world. He would drop everything to help someone in need and housed many family, friends and strangers when they needed a place to stay. He didn’t just talk about the Gospel; He lived it.

The family will celebrate Bill’s life in a memorial service to be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at Abundant Life Church of God, 6725 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland, Florida 33809. The Reverend Ron Stewart will be officiating. There will be a public viewing prior to the celebration at 4:00 p.m. at Abundant Life Church of God.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Jean Wilson of Lakeland, Florida; his four sons, Todd and his wife Meg of Richmond, California, Kevin and his wife Melissa of Elkridge, Maryland, Chad and his wife Christie of Tallahassee, Florida, Shaun and his wife Michelle of Baltimore, Maryland, and his daughter, Keri of Tallahassee, Florida; his 10 grandchildren, Tatiana, Laura, Olivia, Lisa, Kendall, Spencer, Jennifer, Michaiah “Cai”, Sydney, and Noah Wilson; and siblings Jim, Virgil, Mary, Max, Carolyn, Mike and Linda.

A memorial service and celebration of the life of Bill will be live-streamed world-wide on the Internet on Saturday, April 9 at 5:00 PM Eastern (New York) Time at http://bit.ly/celebratingbill

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